Bob Mackie news
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The gist
Bob Mackie's death certificate lists blunt head trauma and a hemorrhage after a fall.
The record differs from his reps' earlier statement that he died from pneumonia.
Background
Bob Mackie was a celebrated fashion and costume designer known for gowns and costumes worn by Cher, Carol Burnett and many other stars. He died at 87 on Sept 14, 2026, three days after a fall at the home of his longtime design director Joseph McFate. His representatives had previously confirmed he died from pneumonia; a death certificate obtained by Us Weekly later listed a different immediate cause.
How it unfolded
- Sep 11, 2026Mackie suffered a fall and sustained a head injury at the home of his longtime design director Joseph McFate.
- Sep 14, 2026Mackie died at 87 at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, Calif., three days after the fall; his death was announced the same day on his official Instagram page.
- Sep 17, 2026Mackie's body was cremated.
- recentlyMackie's remains were scattered at sea off the coast of San Diego County in California.
- Oct 9, 2026Us Weekly obtained Mackie's death certificate, which lists his immediate cause of death as a subarachnoid hemorrhage and blunt head trauma.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Mackie's reps previously confirmed he died from pneumonia, and a rep said he was suffering from pneumonia both before and after his hospitalization.
- Party
- Mackie's rep said he was staying in the guest house at the home of his longtime design director Joe McFate, and that a healthcare professional was with him when he fell.
- Caution
- The fatal head injury report is attributed to a death certificate obtained by Us Weekly, while the official cause of death was ruled as pneumonia per the outlet.
Still unverified
The report of the fatal head injury is attributed to a report/death certificate obtained by Us Weekly; the official cause of death was ruled as pneumonia per the outlet, while the death certificate lists subarachnoid hemorrhage and blunt head trauma.